The City of Brandon Finance Department is now accepting property tax prepayment for 2023 property taxes. 2023 property taxes are due by Friday, June 30, 2023 at 5 p.m. Property owners can receive a discount on property tax prepayments up to the amount of their 2022 property taxes. However, if the property tax roll is in arrears, any previous tax amount owing must be paid in full prior to any prepayment. For monies received January to May, the following discounts will be given each month: Month Discount Applied January 1.00% February 0.85% March 0.65% April 0.50% May 0.25% Another option for property owners at no additional cost is where taxes may be paid monthly or by automatic bank withdrawal using the Tax Installment Plan (TIP). Prepayment discounts or late payment penalties do not apply while enrolled in the plan. Apply online at Property and/or Water Account Change Form. For the full list of payment options, please visit City of Brandon - Payment Options. For information on Property Taxes & Assessments, please visit City of Brandon - Property Taxes & Assessments. (City of Brandon PSA)

The City of Brandon is releasing the 2023 proposed municipal budget. Brandon City Council will deliberate the 2023 proposed budget as prepared by City administration on Friday, January 27, 2023, and Saturday, January 28, 2023. Deliberations will be held in the City of Brandon Council Chamber on the 2nd floor of Brandon City Hall and are open to the public and media to observe. The deliberations will also be livestreamed via the City of Brandon YouTube channel. The 2023 proposed budget will require an extra $3,660,235 in municipal taxes levied. The proposed combined general and utility budgets are $127.8 million. The proposed capital plan is $138.9 million, which includes $39.7 million in Federal and Provincial grant funding. Major projects from the proposed capital budget includes: $41.7 million for the water treatment facility expansion $25.7 million for land drainage improvements, including the Southeast Drainage Project $19.7 million for new wastewater sewers, including the Southwest Lift Station Project* $13.7 million for the multi-year construction of the Outdoor Sports Field Complex In addition to multi-year projects, some of the projects being proposed in 2023 include: $1.7 million Eastview Landfill Cell Design & Construction $900,000 for the detailed design of the conceptual cultural hub at the Library/Arts building** $200,000 for the conceptual detail design of the Sportsplex Arena $200,000 for the southwest trail loop paving project $75,000 for the transit route planning study, which will include rapid transit options Other notable projects of the proposed operating budget include equipment for preventative maintenance of overland drainage, a new community garden, three new police positions, and the completion of the City Plan. 2023 will also see the adoption of the City’s Climate Action Plan and the start of its many recommendations. All proposed budget documents can be viewed on the City of Brandon website at brandon.ca/budget/proposed-2023-budget. City Council welcomes comments or feedback on the proposed 2023 budget, which can be sent via email to budget@brandon.ca. City of Brandon PSA

“CRIME STOPPERS WANTED” for: January 13th, 2023 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating this person who is: “WANTED BY POLICE” Chelsea AZURE (35 years old) FOR Breach of Probation. Chelsea AZURE was sentenced to three (3) years supervised Probation. Azure breached her probation by failing to report to her Probations Officer in the month of December, 2022.  A warrant for his arrest has been issued.  ***************** If you have any information as to the whereabouts of this person or anyone else “Wanted by Police” you are asked to contact Brandon Crime Stoppers @ 204-727-TIPS (8477), www.brandoncrimestoppers.com or by texting BCSTIP+your message to CRIMES (274637).  Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to Call Display.  Your call is not recorded and your identity will remain anonymous.  Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2000.00 cash for information that leads to the solution of a crime. CRIME OF THE WEEK for January 13th, 2023 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in solving a Theft Under $5000.  On January 3rd, 2023, at approximately 8:50pm, 3 females and a 2 male suspects entered a business in the 800 block of 18th Street North.  Once inside, the suspects stole numerous tools including a Husky air compressor and Dewalt tool set and fled the store prior to police arrival. Three suspects were captured on video surveillance and photos of the suspect are attached to this release.

Delivering results for Brandon isn’t new to Jordan Sisson. Not only is he an experienced entrepreneur, running a successful family business in Brandon since 2006, but he also knows government inside and out, having served at senior levels over the last six years. Today, he announced his intention to run for the Brandon West PC nomination to replace long-time MLA Reg Helwer, who recently announced his retirement from politics. “I’ve spent a lot of time listening to Manitobans and hearing their concerns. Having been behind the scenes, I know what works and what doesn’t inside government, and what it takes to get things done,” said Sisson. “It would be my honour to serve the people of Brandon West and continue pushing to make Brandon the best place to live in Canada.” Sisson has held various roles in government, including as a local constituency assistant in Brandon, Director of Regional Cabinet Operations based in Brandon, Director of Stakeholder Relations and the Chief of Staff and Senior Strategic Advisor to the Premier. In his senior positions, he always advocated for Brandon and its importance as Manitoba’s 2nd largest city. He has previously served as a local constituency president, regional director for the PC Party of Manitoba and is currently the Secretary to the board for the Progressive Conservative Party. During his time working in government, Jordan helped move many local projects forward, notably: • Helped secure funding needed for the boards in the Keystone Centre main arena, bringing it up to WHL standard to allow the Brandon Wheat Kings to continue using the venue; • Helped organize a $2.9-million investment to retire the Keystone Centre’s debt. As a result, the Keystone Centre realized savings of more than $300,000 annually, allowing more funds to be redirected toward capital infrastructure projects for the whole community; • Assisted with the rolling out of $70 million for the Brandon Regional Health Centre, which included approximately 30 new medicine beds, a new ICU, and a renovated and expanded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; • Advocated successfully for the new school in the south end of Brandon; • Helped organize a $150,000 expansion to the winter shelter at Samaritan House. Sisson was born and raised in Brandon, and it’s where he and his wife are raising their five children. Following success in the entrepreneurial world, he chose a career in government to work for the benefit of all Manitobans. “Reg Helwer was a great community leader, and I am honoured to have the opportunity to follow in his footsteps,” said Sisson. “There are tremendous opportunities for growth in Brandon and I know with a strong voice in the Legislature that there’s a lot more we can achieve.” Jordan Sisson thanks Reg Helwer for his 12 years of service to the area as the Brandon West MLA. To fully focus on the nomination ahead, Sisson has taken a leave from his position at the Manitoba Legislature. (submitted)

Linda McRae-Walker (54), is a Wife and Mother of two (2) young men, and resides in the Municipality of Oakland-Wawanesa within the Spruce Woods constituency. McRae-Walker will attempt to become the Progressive Conservative candidate for the Spruce Woods constituency, the first time the position would ever be held by a woman to represent the area. Employed for the last seven (7) years as an administrator with the Manitoba 4-H Council Inc., Linda has had a life-long interest in politics, from Municipal issues, to Provincial, National and even International. As a 30+ year resident in Spruce Woods, when Cliff Cullen, the current representative decided to step back, McRae-Walker thought that now would be the best time to explore the political arena. Having lived on the farm for most of her adult life, Linda McRae-Walker has a dedicated interest in the farming sector of Manitoba. Her life experience and time in the cattle industry has given her a complete understanding of the priorities and challenges that farm families face on a daily basis. Her platform for Spruce Woods; an improvement in rural healthcare in all areas (re-open emergency rooms in rural hospitals, and recruiting more staff for those facilities, along with improved paramedic service), better rural infrastructure in every community (road closures and bridge repair and/or replacement is necessary in most all communities of the Spruce Woods constituency), develop innovation in agriculture and assist young farmers in their quest for a life in the agriculture world. Linda McRae-Walker has a wealth of “real world” experience. In her time living in Spruce Woods, Linda worked in the school system as an Educational Assistant for 13 years at Souris School, started her professional life in retail at Eaton’s Department Store in Brandon, first on the sales floor and then in store administration. Her current position with the Manitoba 4-H Council has afforded her many interactions with the Manitoba government (both offices and government ministers). Linda is married to Brandon radio broadcaster Ray Walker, and her boys Tyson (27) and Eric (24) all still live on the family farm about 20 minutes from Souris in the Spruce Woods constituency. (submitted)